For my children and others who may be interested. Stories and tidbits on various subjects from out-of-copyright books. Some texts will be slightly edited from the original.

I suggest copying and pasting these posts into a word processor in order to print them for your children. Mine enjoy reading them on the web.

Typographical corrections and contributions of your own tidbits (must be in the public domain) are most welcome - webmaster@love2learn.net

Wednesday, October 12, 2005

The Names of Our Lady by Adelaide A. Procter

from the Art and Literature Reader, Book 4, copyright 1904

Through the wide world thy children raiseTheir prayers, and still we seeCalm are the nights and bright the daysOf those who trust in thee.

Around thy starry crown are wreathedSo many names divine;Which is the dearest to my heart,And the most worthy thine?

Star of the Sea! we kneel and prayWhen tempests raise their voice;Star of the Sea! the haven reached,We call thee and rejoice.

Help of the Christian! in our needThy might aid we claim;If we are faint and weary, thenWe trust in that dear name.

Our Lady of the Rosary!What name can be so sweetAs what we call thee when we placeOur chaplet at thy feet.

Bright Queen of Heaven! when we are sad,Best solace of our pains;-It tells us of the badge we wear,To live and die thine own.

Our Lady dear of Victories!We see our faith oppressed,And, praying for our erring land,We love that name the best.

Refuge of Sinners! many a soul,By guilt cast down, and sin,Has learned through this dear name of thinePardon and peace to win.

Health of the Sick! when anxious heartsWatch by the sufferer's bed,On this sweet name of thine we lean,Consoled and comforted.

Mother of Sorrows! many a heartHalf-broken by despairHas laid its burden by the crossAnd found a mother there.

Queen of all Saints! the Church appealsFor her loved dead to thee;She knows they wait in patient painA bright eternity.

Fair Queen of Virgins! thy pure bandThe lilies round thy throne,Love the dear title, which they bear,Most that it is thine own.

True Queen of Martyrs! if we shrinkFrom want, or pain, or woe,We think of the sharp sword that piercedThy heart, and call thee so.

Mary! the dearest name of all,The holiest and the best;The first low word that Jesus lispedLaid on His mother's breast.

Mary! the name that Gabriel spoke,The name that conquers hell;Mary! the name that through high heavenThe angels love so well.

Mary! our comfort and our hope,-O may that word be givenTo be the last we sigh on earth,The first we breathe in heaven.

Adelaide Anne Procter, an English poet, was born in London, October 30, 1852; died in London, February 3, 1864. She was a daughter of the writer Bryan Walter Procter (Barry Cornwall). Her poetry is popular and some of her poems have been translated into several languages. Her first published articles appeared in a magazine edited by Charles Dickens. In the year 1851 she became a Catholic, and from that time on her writings show her bent of mind, the desire to do all things possible for God.